(UPDATE) Climate activist group to host community discussion in Oakhurst about climate change

(UPDATE) Climate activist group to host community discussion in Oakhurst about climate change

Editor’s note and clarification: Following the publication of this story, Decaturish received conflicting reports about where this meeting will be held. This story has been updated with new information that the meeting will be held in the Elizabeth Wilson building behind the Solarium. The address is the same.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Extinction Rebellion, a group fighting against and raising awareness about climate change, will host a Community Climate Conversation event at the Elizabeth Wilson building behind the Solarium in Oakhurst.

The group is hosting the event to discuss climate activism and other issues surrounding climate change.

According to the group’s Facebook page for the event, the world’s leading climate scientists have warned that we have until 2030 to prevent temperature increases from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. If this temperature rise reaches 2 degrees Celsius, results could be catastrophic, with increased potential for famine, droughts, floods, wildfires and more.

Additionally, according to the Climate Accountability Institute, 71 percent of the world’s global industrial greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 polluters.

“It is clear by now that the interests of big business do not drive the prosperity of the human race,” Extinction Rebellion says. “As a society, we need to change course.”

The event will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Solarium, located at 321 W. Hill St. in Decatur. There will be signs at the Solarium directing people to the meeting location in the Elizabeth Wilson building.

The event will include an eight-minute video and a 20-minute speech by Lisa Baker, a member of Extinction Rebellion, who will share new scientific climate data that prompted the UK Parliament to issue a “Climate Emergency Declaration” last month. Baker will also discuss ways to get involved in upcoming activist actions.

Following Baker’s presentation, Scot Hollonbeck will moderate a Q&A session and general comments, the group said. After that, anyone interested in joining upcoming climate activist events can learn about those events and how they can help.